with the thought of Priscilla or some other early Christian woman as the author.
— Does this approach to Hebrews teach me anything new regarding the content of the book?
— Does it teach me anything new about myself?
— Is God calling me to any specific action steps?

• Consider the gospel mandate of evangelism (see Matt. 9:35-38 and Matt. 28:16-20).
— Would Jesus exclude more than half of the Christian work force from critical areas of this mandate?
— Am I clear to include all God's people in this mandate?
— Is God calling me to any specific action steps?
— Richard J. Foster

GOING DEEPER

Three books have helped me immensely to better understand our relationships within marriage and the Church: Heirs Together, Equal to Serve, and Women, Authority & The Bible. Unashamedly evangelical, the authors take Scriptural authority seriously without letting it hinder them from seeking new and fresh understandings.

In Heirs Together Patricia Gundry presents the best argument for equality and partnership in marriage I have read. She summarizes the key elements that affect marriage, gives tools to help us understand biblical passages on marriage, and deals with the practical working out of marriage. Gundry challenges our cultural assumptions and dispels many false notions about marriage relationships, replacing them with a distinct Christian model based on mutual submission. Heirs Together goes beyond discussing the issues; it offers solutions for

the marriage problems that we all face—dividing responsibilities, making decisions, setting goals, fighting constructively. I hope it helps you as much as it has me.

Equal to Serve held my attention when it was first published, and it continues to be a primary resource for understanding the issues that surround women's service in the Church. A leading spokesperson for theequality of men and women, Gretchen Gaebelein Hull sees it as an issue of justice. She writes, ". . . all believers are equally redeemed and therefore equally eligible to serve." Interweaving her personal story and struggle to serve in the Church with a survey of the attitudes and actions of a wide variety of biblical men and women, Gretchen provides evidence that women in the Old and New Testaments had broad freedom. She goes on to question the traditions many Christians blindly accept and to show us the attitudes God wants us to have. If you want to be challenged to yield your rights . . . your talents . . . your life in total service to Jesus Christ, read Equal to Serve.

A collection of essays and responses presented at the Evangelical Colloquium on Women and the Bible held in 1984, Women, Authority & the Bible is scholarly and readable, a winning combination. Alvera Mickelsen, the editor, chose papers by leaders who ask hard questions about women's roles in the Church. Not all of them agree on everything. But they do agree that we must begin with the question, "What does the Bible teach?" They also agree that too often poor exegesis has been used to advocate positions on either side. This book is not for the faint-hearted, but it is essential reading if you are concerned about the status of women in the Church. It is a wonderful resource that I use repeatedly.
— Lynda L. Graybeal